The 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters, including both minors and adults, who were recently discharged by a Federal High Court in Abuja, have now made their way to the Presidential Villa.
The protesters faced charges of treason, which the court dismissed after Judge Obiora Egwatu ruled on Tuesday to strike out the case.
This decision followed the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation M.D. Abubakar, who announced the withdrawal of the case.
The case withdrawal came in response to the significant public outcry over the treatment of these protesters, which included minors.
In his statement, Mr. Abubakar noted that he was acting under the powers vested in the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) by section 174 of the Nigerian constitution.
Representing the AGF, he informed the court that he was taking over the case from the police and subsequently applied for its withdrawal.
Defense lawyers did not oppose the application, facilitating the dismissal of the case.
President Bola Tinubu, aware of the mounting public backlash, had issued an order for the protesters’ release on Monday.
Among the protesters, approximately 52 are minors, as confirmed by the Minister of Women’s Affairs.
This significant decision to release them underscores the President’s sensitivity to public sentiment around the matter.
Upon their arrival at the Presidential Villa, the protesters were welcomed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Tinubu.
Shettima is set to formally hand over the protesters to the governors of their respective states.
Both Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna and Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano were already at the villa, as a large portion of the protesters are reportedly from these two states.
Also present were key members of Tinubu’s cabinet, including the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal. Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, joined his colleagues in welcoming the group.
Additionally, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Senate Committee on Appropriation Chairman Abubakar Bichi attended to show support for the handover event at the villa.
